The Quiet Man (1952)
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89% of critics liked it
(37 reviews) -
90% of users liked it
(29,392 ratings)
Returning to the Ireland of his birth, director John Ford fashions a irresistable valentine to the "Auld Sod" in The Quiet Man. Irish-American boxer John Wayne, recovering from the trauma of having accidentally killed a man in the ring, arrives in the Irish village where he was born.… More Returning to the Ireland of his birth, director John Ford fashions a irresistable valentine to the "Auld Sod" in The Quiet Man. Irish-American boxer John Wayne, recovering from the trauma of having accidentally killed a man in the ring, arrives in the Irish village where he was born. Hoping to bury his past and settle down to a life of tranquility, Wayne has purchased the home of his birth from wealthy local widow Mildred Natwick, a transaction that has incurred the wrath of pugnacious squire Victor McLaglen, who coveted the property for himself. By and by, Wayne falls in love with McLaglen's beautiful, high-spirited sister Maureen O'Hara. Her insistence that Wayne conduct his courtship in a proper Irish manner-with puckish matchmaker Barry Fitzgerald along for the ride as "chaperone"--is but one obstacle to their future happiness: the other is McLaglen, who spitefully refuses to give his consent to his sister's marriage, or to honor the tradition of paying a dowry to Wayne. Wayne could care less about dowries, but the tradition-bound Maureen refuses to consummate her marriage until McLaglen pays up. Under any other circumstances, Wayne would have punched out the bullying McLaglen long ago, but ever since his tragedy in the ring he has been reluctant to fight. Local priest Ward Bond conspires with several locals to trick McLaglen into paying his due. They intimate that widow Natwick, for whom McLaglen carries a torch, will marry the old brute if he'll give his consent to the marriage and fork over the dowry. But McLaglen finds he's been tricked and the situation remains at a standoff, with the frustrated Wayne locked out of his wife's bedroom. When Maureen accuses him of being a coward and walks out on him, our hero can stand no more. He marches Maureen to McLaglen's home, indicating that he plans to whale the tar out of both brother and sister. As a huge and appreciative crowd gathers the cornered McLaglen truculently tosses the money in Wayne's direction. Big John hands the bills to Maureen, just as she knew he would, and she ceremoniously destroys the money, just as he knew je would. Having proven their love for each other, there is nothing left for Wayne and Maureen to do but head home and perform their nuptual duties. But first there's the matter of giving McLaglen the thrashing he deserves....and it is this spectacular donnybrook, which covers several acres of land and at least two "pit stops" so that the combatants can quench their thirst, which convinces Natwick that the defeated McLaglen is truly worthy of her love (her logic is on a par with everyone else's in the film!) Though it tends to perpetuate the myth that all true Irishmen live only to fight, drink and make love, The Quiet Man is grand and glorious fun, enacted with gusto by a largely Hibernian cast and directed with loving care by a master of his craft. Written by Frank Nugent and graced with a lilting musical score by Victor Young, the film won Oscars for Archie Stout's Technicolor photography and for John Ford's direction-a real coup for "poverty row" Republic Pictures. If you haven't already luxuriated in this wonderful film, be sure to catch in on the tube next St. Patrick's Day. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- John Ford
- Written By
- Maurice Walsh, Frank S. Nugent, Richard Llewellyn
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Classics, Comedy
G,
- In Theaters
- Aug 14, 1952 Limited
- Studio
- Republic Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Variety Staff, Variety
This is a robust romantic drama of a native-born's return to Ireland. Director John Ford took cast and cameras to Ireland to tell the story [by Maurice Walsh] against actual backgrounds.
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Don Druker, Chicago Reader
John Ford's 1952 Oscar winner is a tribute to an Ireland that exists only in the imaginations of songwriters and poets like Ford.
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, Time Out
The illusion/reality theme underlying immigrant boxer Wayne's return from America to County Galway is soon swamped within a vibrant community of stage-Irish 'types'.
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A.H. Weiler, New York Times
Let's face it. Mr. Ford is in love with Ireland, as is his cast, and they give us a fine, gay time while they're about it.
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James Berardinelli, ReelViews
Although not a true classic, The Quiet Man is worth more than a cursory glance, especially for those who like Wayne or would like to experience more of his work.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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John Wayne
as Sean Thornton
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Maureen O'Hara
as Mary Kate Danaher
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Victor McLaglen
as Red Will Danaher
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Barry Fitzgerald
as Michaeleen Flynn
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Ward Bond
as Fr. Peter Lonergan
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Mildred Natwick
as Mrs. Sarah Tillane
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Francis Ford
as Dan Tobin
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Eileen Crowe
as Mrs. Elizabeth Playfair
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May Craig
as Woman at Railroad Station
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Arthur Shields
as Rev. Cyril Playfair
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Charles Fitzsimmons
as Forbes
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James Lilburn
as Father Paul
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Joseph O'Dea
as Guard Maloney
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Eric Gorman
as Engine Driver Costello
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Webb Overlander
as Station Master
- Frank Baker
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Ken Curtis
as Dermot Fahy
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Douglas Evans
as Ring Physician
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Sam Harris
as General at Race
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Tiny Jones
as The Children
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Jack MacGowran
as Feeney
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Mae Marsh
as Father Paul's Mother
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Sean McClory
as Owen Glynn
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Al Murphy
as Referee
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Pat O'Malley
as Man
- Bob Perry
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Jack Roper
as Boxer
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Harry Tenbrook
as Policeman
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Harry Tyler
as Pat Cohan the Publican
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Patrick Wayne
as Boy on fence at horse race
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Hank Worden
as Trainer in Flashback
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David Hilary Hughes
as Constable
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Michael Wayne
as Teenage Boy at Races
